PR/bulletin/bul01-00.

doc
The Cospas-Sarsat System provides distress alert and location information to search and rescue (SAR)
authorities, anywhere in the world, for maritime, aviation and land users in distress. The System was
originally designed to operate with satellites in low-altitude Earth orbit (LEO). The Cospas-Sarsat LEO
search and rescue (LEOSAR) satellite system has been in operation since 1982. The System was recently
complemented with geostationary satellites (GEOSAR). To the end of 1998, Cospas-Sarsat had assisted
in the rescue of 10,000 persons in distress in over 3,021 SAR events.

The Cospas-Sarsat System can process signals from two types of distress beacons: 121.5 MHz beacons,
mostly carried on board aircraft since the seventies (and therefore not designed for satellite processing),
and a newer type of distress beacons operating at 406 MHz specifically designed to operate in the
Cospas-Sarsat System. Due to the high level of false alerts from 121.5 MHz beacons, and the difficulty
of improving the performance of this out-dated system, Cospas-Sarsat decided in 1999 that future
LEOSAR satellites planned for launch from 2009 would not carry 121.5 MHz instruments. This
evolution and the continued growth in the use of the 406 MHz system are addressed further in this
Bulletin.

The future phase-out of 121.5 MHz satellite alerting services and the development of the 406 MHz
GEOSAR capability are major issues which call for close co-operation between all Participants in the
Cospas-Sarsat System, Administrations, SAR services, manufacturers and user organizations. To
provide all interested parties with appropriate information, the Cospas-Sarsat Council decided to hold
a Cospas-Sarsat Seminar, in Montreal, Canada, 12-14 October 2000, in conjunction with the annual
SARSCENE Workshop and Trade Show organised by Canada.

This document also provides a brief status of the Cospas-Sarsat System, presents other significant
developments and provides a summary of Cospas-Sarsat operations in 1998, as reported by participating
Administrations.

CONTENTS

Participating Countries and Organizations PAGE 2

The Cospas-Sarsat 121.5 MHz LEOSAR System PAGE 2

The Cospas-Sarsat 406 MHz System PAGE 4

Cospas-Sarsat Operations PAGE 7

Cospas-Sarsat 2000 Seminar and Canadian SARSCENE 2000 Workshop PAGE 8

Cospas-Sarsat Web Site PAGE 8

New telephone and fax numbers for the Cospas-Sarsat Secretariat:

Tel = +44 20 7728 1391; Fax = +44 20 7728 1170
Cospas-Sarsat web site address: http://www.cospas-sarsat.org
Internet e-mail address: cospas_sarsat@imso.org
PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES AND ORGANIZATIONS
The Cospas-Sarsat System is available to all States on a non-discriminatory basis and free of charge for
the end-user in distress. States or organizations may participate in the management and the operation of
the System through their association with the Cospas-Sarsat Programme. There are now 32 countries
and organizations formally associated with Cospas-Sarsat, including the 4 Parties to the International
Cospas-Sarsat Programme Agreement (Canada, France, Russia and the USA) which provide and
operate the satellites and ground segment equipment, 20 Participants which also provide and operate
ground stations and an additional 8 Participants associated in the management of the System. These
figures include the most recent participant, Thailand, which notified its association with the Cospas-
Sarsat Programme as a Ground Segment Provider in October 1999. Two other countries have installed
Cospas-Sarsat receiving stations and are expected to confirm their association with Cospas-Sarsat in
2000.
Figure 1: World Map of Cospas-Sarsat Participants (shown as shaded)

THE COSPAS-SARSAT 121.5 MHz LEOSAR SYSTEM

Status and Operations
The Cospas-Sarsat 121.5 MHz LEOSAR system, as of January 2000, was composed of:
x repeaters on seven satellites in polar orbit, at low altitudes (about 1,000 km);
x 35 ground receiving stations (referred to as LEOSAR local user terminals or LEOLUTs), and
20 Mission Control Centres (MCCs); and
x about 600,000 distress beacons operating on 121.5 MHz, mostly carried on aircraft and small
vessels.

Additional receiving stations have been installed in Saudi Arabia and South Africa. These stations will
be commissioned into the Cospas-Sarsat System after the formal notification of the association of these
two countries with the Programme.

121.5 MHz distress beacons are not accepted in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
(GMDSS) of IMO for the satellite-EPIRB alerting function, but they provide a significant alerting role
world-wide for commercial and general aviation, as well as for numerous pleasure craft and fishing
vessels. 121.5 MHz distress signals can be detected by Cospas-Sarsat only when the satellite views
simultaneously the transmitting beacon and the receiving station. Therefore, coverage at 121.5 MHz is
not global, but is limited to a circle of about 6000 km diameter centred on each receiving station.

page 2 Cospas-Sarsat Information Bulletin No. 13 (January 2000)

Cospas-Sarsat 121.5 MHz coverage is provided over most of the continents, except Antarctica and the
central and southern part of Africa. This coverage also includes large oceanic areas. The Cape Town
receiving station will provide useful coverage of the southern part of Africa after its commissioning into
the Cospas-Sarsat network.

In 1998, the Cospas-Sarsat 121.5 MHz system was used in 161 SAR incidents, both on land and at sea,
and provided assistance in the rescue of 402 persons (including 245 persons at sea in 83 SAR
operations).

Table 1: Cospas-Sarsat LEOSAR Space Segment Status (January 2000)

Cospas-Sarsat 406 MHz SARP 406 MHz 121.5 MHz Date

Payloads in-Orbit SARR SARR Launched

Global Local Only Local Only Local

Mode Mode Coverage Coverage

Cospas-4(1) O O NA O Jul 1989

Cospas-6(2) O O NA O Mar 1991
Cospas-8 O O NA O Dec 1998

Sarsat-3 N N O O Sep 1986

Sarsat-4 O O N O(3) Sep 1988
Sarsat-6 N N O O Dec 1994
Sarsat-7 O O O O May 1998

Notes: O - Operational (1) - Limited operation in Southern hemisphere

NA - Not applicable (2) - Reduced 406 MHz message throughput
N - Not operational (3) - Some Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) degradation
SARP - SAR processor (provides global 406 MHz coverage)
SARR - SAR repeater (provides only local mode coverage)

Future Phasing-out of 121.5 MHz Satellite Alerting Services

121.5 MHz beacons are available at a very low cost, but this out-dated technology, which cannot be
improved easily, is the source of a very large number of false alerts (over 98% of all 121.5 MHz
Cospas-Sarsat alerts). The absence of an automatic capability for identifying 121.5 MHz alerts is also
a serious limitation of the 121.5 MHz system which significantly increases the workload of Rescue
Co-ordination Centres (RCCs). This situation impacts on the efficiency of SAR operations and has led
to a request by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for a termination of the satellite
processing of 121.5 MHz signals.

In 1999, the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) adopted amendments to
the annexes of the Convention on International Civil Aviation requiring all new aircraft from 2002, and
all aircraft from 2005, under the jurisdiction of the ICAO Convention, to carry an Emergency Locator
Transmitter (ELT) operating on 406 MHz, and on 121.5 MHz for homing purpose. The ICAO Council
also agreed that Cospas-Sarsat processing of 121.5 MHz ELTs could be discontinued from 2008.

In response to the request of IMO and the decisions of ICAO, the Cospas-Sarsat Council decided at its
CSC-23 Session in October 1999 that future satellites from Cospas-13 (planned for launch from 2006)
and Sarsat-14 (planned for launch from 2009) would not carry the 121.5 MHz search and rescue
repeater (SARR) instrument. However, it should be noted that all Cospas satellites to be launched prior
to Cospas-13, and all Sarsat satellites to be launched prior to Sarsat-14 will be equipped with the 121.5
MHz SARR.

Cospas-Sarsat has decided to complete in 2000 the development of a 121.5 MHz phase-out plan to
assist Participants in the System, as well as Administrations and users, in their preparation for the
discontinuation of this service.

Cospas-Sarsat Information Bulletin No. 13 (January 2000) page 3

THE COSPAS-SARSAT 406 MHz SYSTEM
The 406 MHz LEOSAR System

The Cospas-Sarsat 406 MHz LEOSAR system,

as of January 2000, was composed of:
x 406 MHz search and rescue receiver-
processor (SARP) instruments carried
onboard five satellites in polar orbit, which
provide the 406 MHz global coverage (see
Table 1);
x 406 MHz search and rescue repeaters
(SARR) onboard three satellites in polar
orbit, which provide additional redundancy,
but in local mode coverage only;
x 35 LEOLUTs and 20 MCCs (the same LUTs
and MCCs as used in the 121.5 MHz
system); and
x over 185,000* distress beacons operating on
406 MHz, carried on ships (EPIRBs),
aircraft (ELTs), or used as personal locator
beacons (PLBs).
The Cospas-Sarsat 406 MHz system provides
numerous advantages over the 121.5 MHz
system (greater Doppler positioning accuracy,
beacon identification, global coverage, etc.).
406 MHz beacons are increasingly used at sea,
in aircraft and on land. During 1998 the
406 MHz system was used in 224 SAR events
and assisted in the rescue of 932 persons
(including 827 persons at sea in 155 SAR
operations).
Note (*): This estimate of the number of
406 MHz beacons was made early in 1999.
By the end of 1999, the total number of
406 MHz beacons was expected to exceed
200,000.
COSPAS
SARSAT
INSAT GOES
Figure 2: Combined LEOSAR-GEOSAR
System Concept

The 406 MHz GEOSAR System

The major advantage of the 406 MHz LEOSAR system is the provision of global Earth coverage using
a limited number of polar-orbiting satellites. Its basic limitation is that continuous LEOSAR coverage
would require a large number of satellites which cannot be achieved at a cost acceptable to space
segment providers. This consideration led the Cospas-Sarsat Participants to experiment with 406 MHz
repeaters onboard geostationary satellites, with a view to enhance the 406 MHz LEOSAR system while
ensuring the full compatibility of the GEOSAR components with existing 406 MHz beacon designs.

GEOSAR satellites do not provide coverage of the poles but have the capability to provide almost
immediate distress alerts for existing 406 MHz beacons transmitting in their field of view, although
without the distress location as there is no Doppler shift on the uplink frequency. To take full advantage
of the GEOSAR alerting capabilities, new 406 MHz beacons with a built-in satellite navigation
receiver, or an interface for external navigation data input, capable of transmitting position data in the
406 MHz digital message, were introduced in 1998. The GEOSAR and LEOSAR system concepts, as
illustrated in Figure 2, are complementary.

As a result of the successful demonstration of 406 MHz GEOSAR system performance in 1997/1998,
the Cospas-Sarsat Council decided that GEOSAR components should be integrated as part of the
Cospas-Sarsat System and adopted specifications for the GEOSAR ground segment equipment. In
October 1999, the Council requested participating States providing GEOSAR receiving stations to
commission their GEOLUT equipment as soon as possible. Although none of the GEOLUTs have been
formally commissioned at this time, the 406 MHz distress alerts that they detect are processed and
distributed to SAR services.

page 4 Cospas-Sarsat Information Bulletin No. 13 (January 2000)

In February 1999, the USA notified the International Civil Aviation Organization, as Depositary of the
International Cospas-Sarsat Programme Agreement, of a change to the USA contribution to the Cospas-
Sarsat System and declared the addition of the 406 MHz capability on the Geostationary Environmental
Satellites (GOES-East and GOES-West) as an enhancement to the existing Cospas-Sarsat Space
Segment. The Cospas-Sarsat Council is also considering how other GEOSAR satellites could be
formally integrated, in future, into the Cospas-Sarsat Space Segment.

The 406 MHz GEOSAR system, as of January 2000, was composed of (see Figure 3 and Table 2):
x 406 MHz repeaters onboard three geostationary satellites, plus one spare;

x ground receiving stations (GEOLUTs) in five countries, linked to the Cospas-Sarsat MCC
network for the distribution of GEOSAR alert data; and
x over 185,000 existing 406 MHz beacons (see Note (*) above).

Additional geostationary satellites with 406 MHz repeaters are expected to become available from year
2000, including a Russian satellite in the Luch-M series and the Meteosat Second Generation (MSG)
satellites of the EUMETSAT organisation. A number of countries have also indicated their intention to
install GEOLUTs in future. The uplink footprint of existing geostationary satellites with a 406 MHz
capability is shown at Figure 3.

Figure 3: 406 MHz GEOSAR Satellite Coverage and GEOLUTs

(January 2000)
180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
90

60
West Freugh - UK
Trenton - Canada

30
Bangalore - India
Maspalomas - Spain

0 0

30
Santiago - Chile

60

90
*2(6: *2(6( ,16$7$ ,16$7%
 :  :  (  (

Table 2: 406 MHz GEOSAR Status (January 2000)

Satellite Location Status GEOLUTs

GOES - W (USA) 135 o W In operation Trenton (Canada)

o
GOES - E (USA) 75 W In operation Trenton (Canada), Santiago (Chile), Maspalomas
(Spain), West Freugh (UK)
INSAT - 2A (India) 74 o E In operation Bangalore (India)
o
INSAT - 2B (India) 93.5 E In-orbit spare -

Cospas-Sarsat Information Bulletin No. 13 (January 2000) page 5


The population of 406 MHz beacons continues to
increase. A survey of 25 beacon manufacturers
indicated that an additional 32,000 beacons operating
on 406 MHz had been produced and distributed
during 1998. Assuming that some older beacons have
been replaced, it is estimated that the number of
406 MHz beacons in service at the beginning of 1999
was over 185,000.
Figure 4: 406 MHz Beacon Population
Annual Production
200,000
150,000
100,000
50,000
0
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
New Types of 406 MHz Beacons
The Cospas-Sarsat specifications for 406 MHz
distress beacons and Local Users Terminals
(LUTs) were amended in 1995 to provide for
optionally encoding position information in the
transmitted beacon message. 1998 saw the
introduction of the first two Cospas-Sarsat type
approved beacons with this capability. At the
end of 1999, eight models of beacons (ELTs,
EPIRBs and PLBs) with the capability to accept
position data from internal or external
navigation devices, essentially GPS receivers,
had received a Cospas-Sarsat type approval
certificate.
Location protocol beacons will benefit from the
processing of alerts received via the Cospas-
Sarsat polar-orbiting satellites, by providing
location information when insufficient beacon
messages are received to enable the LUTs to
calculate locations using Cospas-Sarsat Doppler
processing techniques. However, it is in
conjunction with the geostationary SAR
satellites that the value of location protocol
New Frequency Channel in the 406 MHz Band
Recognising the continued growth of the number
of 406 MHz beacons and the impact that this
may have on the capacity of GEOSAR system
due to a lack of frequency spreading, the
Cospas-Sarsat Council decided that the carrier
page 6
406 MHz Beacon Population
Figure 4 shows the growth in the
406 MHz beacon population since 1991.
Most of these beacons are maritime
Emergency Position-Indicating Radio-
beacons (EPIRBs). However, a number
of airlines have started equipping their
fleets with 406 MHz Emergency Locator
Transmitters (ELTs). Their number is
expected to grow in coming years as a
result of the ICAO Council decision in
respect of 406 MHz ELTs. The 1998
At End of Year
production of ELTs and PLBs
represented 9% and 4% respectively of
the total production of 406 MHz
beacons. The projected total 406 MHz
beacon population is expected to exceed
200,000 at the beginning of year 2000.
1998
beacons will be most dramatically realised.
Geostationary SAR satellites characteristically
provide rapid detection and alerting times since
they have continuous visibility over their entire
coverage area. Unfortunately, since these
satellites are stationary in relation to distress
beacons, Doppler processing techniques cannot
be used to calculate the location of the beacons.
When the location information is provided by the
beacon itself, this limitation is overcome.
A number of manufacturers have also started
producing 406 MHz beacons with ancillary
devices such as voice transceivers. These
designs pose specific problems for type approval
testing as two (or more) different functions are
competing for a limited amount of energy stored
in the battery of the system. Specific testing
procedures have been developed by Cospas-
Sarsat to ensure that the life time of the alerting
function of the beacon is not impacted by the
ancillary function.
frequency of new models of operational
406 MHz beacons should be moved to
406.028 MHz (currently all operational beacons
transmit at 406.025 MHz). The modified
beacon specification stipulates that 406 MHz
Cospas-Sarsat Information Bulletin No. 13 (January 2000)
beacons submitted for type approval after to transmit at 406.028 MHz. Beacon models
1 January 2000 can be set to operate at the new type approved before this date may continue to
frequency, and that after 1 January 2002 all be produced and operate at 406.025 MHz.
beacons submitted for type approval must be set

COSPAS-SARSAT OPERATIONS
The nominal Cospas-Sarsat Space Segment Twenty Mission Control Centres (MCCs) are in
consists of four satellites in low altitude polar operation. MCCs are responsible for the world-
orbits, although in January 2000, seven satellites wide distribution of Cospas-Sarsat alert data to
with Cospas-Sarsat payloads were in operation search and rescue services. In February 1998, a
(see Table 1 on page 3). fire at the Russian MCC facility forced the
centre out of operation for an extended period.
Thirty-five ground receiving stations (called The Russian MCC resumed normal operations
LEOSAR Local User Terminals or LEOLUTs) in April 1999. During the outage of the Russian
for tracking the polar-orbiting satellites are in system, the Australian and French MCCs
operation in nineteen countries (see the map of assumed back-up responsibilities for the
LEOLUT locations at Figure 5 below). The distribution of Cospas-Sarsat alert and
location of the six GEOSAR LUTs are shown in information data in the Cospas-Sarsat Eastern
Figure 3 on page 5. Data Distribution Region.

Figure 5: Locations of Cospas-Sarsat LEOLUTs (January 2000)

Tromsoe
Alaska Arkhangelsk
Churchill
Goose Bay Moscow
Edmonton West Freugh
Toulouse Nakhodka
Beijing
California
Taejon Yokohama
Texas Maspalomas Lahore
Lucknow Keelung
Ouargla
Hawaii
Puerto Rico Hong Kong
Bangalore Guam

Singapore
Manaus
Callao
Recife Jakarta

Bundaberg
Santiago
Albany
Wellington

Punta Arenas

250 1400
Persons rescued per year
SAR events per year

1200
200
1000
SAR Events, 406 MHZ
150 800
SAR Events, 121.5 MHz
100 600
400 Persons Rescued
50
200
0 0
1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

Figure 6: SAR Events and Persons Rescued with the Assistance of Cospas-Sarsat
Alert Data (January 1990 - December 1998)

Cospas-Sarsat Information Bulletin No. 13 (January 2000) page 7

During 1998, participating Administrations and organizations reported that Cospas-Sarsat provided
assistance in about 385 SAR events which resulted in the rescue of over 1,330
persons. The 406 MHz system was used in 58% of all reported incidents were the Cospas-Sarsat alert
assisted in the rescue operation. Figure 6 shows the evolution in the use of the System since 1990 and
Figure 7 illustrates the distribution of beacon types in search and rescue events assisted by Cospas-
Sarsat in 1998.
Recognising the problem caused by false distress
alerts in the System, Cospas-Sarsat convened a
Figure 7: Cospas-Sarsat Assisted working group in early 1999 to address this
SAR Events in 1998 important issue. The working group developed over
EPIRB 20 recommendations and actions to be carried out
62% by Cospas-Sarsat Participants or proposed to
national Administrations and international
PLB organizations. These recommendations and actions,
ELT
19%
19%
subsequently approved by the Council, when
implemented, will improve the tracking and
reporting of Cospas-Sarsat false distress alerts, and
should eventually bring a reduction in their number.

COSPAS-SARSAT 2000 SEMINAR

AND CANADIAN ‘SARSCENE’ WORKSHOP
The future phase-out of 121.5 MHz satellite alerting services and the development of the 406 MHz
GEOSAR capability are major developments which call for close co-operation between all Participants
in the Cospas-Sarsat System, Administrations responsible for regulatory aspects of maritime and
aviation safety, SAR services, manufacturers and user organizations. Therefore, the Cospas-Sarsat
Council decided to hold a Cospas-Sarsat Seminar, in Laval near Montreal, Canada, 12-14 October
2000, in conjunction with the annual SARSCENE Workshop and Trade Show organised by Canada’s
National Search and Rescue Secretariat.

The Cospas-Sarsat 2000 Seminar is designed to provide a unique opportunity to:

x update Seminar participants on the status of the Cospas-Sarsat System;
x provide information on new developments and pending changes in the System;
x promote a dialogue with manufacturers and Administrations on the operation of the System, and
discuss specific issues regarding:
- the necessary preparation for future phase-out of 121.5 MHz satellite alerting services,
- the management of the continuing growth of the 406 MHz beacon population,
- 406 MHz beacon registration, coding and control, and the reduction of false alerts,
- the distribution of LEOSAR and GEOSAR alert data to RCCs/SPOCs.

COSPAS-SARSAT WEB SITE (http://www.cospas-sarsat.org)

The Cospas-Sarsat Secretariat operates an information on the following topics:

Internet web site in the three official languages
of the Programme (English, French and
Russian). The site is continuously updated to
reflect the most recent developments in the
System. You can consult the web site to
download copies of approved System
documents (free of charge) and for additional
x history and management of the Programme;
x System status and System technical and
operational performance;
x 406 MHz beacons type approved by Cospas-
Sarsat; and
x 2000 Seminar programme and registration.

page 8 Cospas-Sarsat Information Bulletin No. 13 (January 2000)

 NEWS REVIEW
January 2000

SOME 1999 COSPAS-SARSAT ASSISTED SAVES

Cospas-Sarsat alert data is being used in about one real distress and safety incident each day. The
following are some examples where Cospas-Sarsat data was instrumental in the conduct of the
SAR operation. In the majority of these SAR events, only Cospas-Sarsat provided alert data. The
Cospas-Sarsat Secretariat thanks all correspondents who provided inputs for this news review.

30 Degrees Below Zero Polar Bears Again

On 26 January 1999, Cospas-Sarsat detected On 3 April 1999, Cospas-Sarsat detected a

a 406 MHz distress signal, 31 nm Southwest
of Wainwright, Alaska. A snowmobiler had
activated his PLB when he went off course
while travelling between villages and his
snow machine failed due to the extreme cold
weather (30 degrees below zero). The
Alaska North Slope Borough SAR Service
launched a Bell-214ST helicopter and
rescued the individual.
Different Language, No Problem
On 17 March 1999, a 406 MHz distress
signal was detected 12 nm North of Haiti.
The USA Coast Guard District 7 RCC
launched a C-130 aircraft to the scene and
located the sailing vessel Passiflor II. The
C-130 requested assistance from a nearby
vessel to interpret since all 5 persons aboard
the Passiflor II spoke only French. A
commercial salvage company was monitoring
the conversations and sent a vessel to tow the
Passiflor II into Haiti.
406 MHz distress signal near Spitsbergen,
Norway. An expedition was stranded on a
glacier because of bad weather. One tent had
been destroyed by a polar bear and the group
decided to activate their PLB.
Immediate evacuation by helicopter was
impossible due to the weather conditions,
therefore, a communications watch was
established with the group using a portable
VHF-set. All 5 persons were rescued when
the weather finally improved.
Trapped in Overturned Ship
On 5 April 1999, a 406 MHz EPIRB was
automatically activated from the French
trimaran Acapella when the vessel capsized
during a trans-Atlantic voyage 300 nm
Southeast of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
The USA Coast Guard Atlantic Area RCC
launched helicopters, a fixed wing aircraft,
and one naval vessel to conduct the search.

Hiker With Artificial Leg
On 30 March 1999, a 406 MHz PLB was
activated in New Zealand by a hiker with an
artificial leg. The hiker was stranded on a
river sand bank and was in danger of being
washed away. He was later rescued by
helicopter.
The Acapella was located with both people
on board trapped in the overturned ship. The
two crew members were rescued by a USA
Coast Guard rescue swimmer and treated for
mild hypothermia. The SAR services of two
Countries, USA and Canada, eight aircraft, a
volunteer commercial vessel and a naval
vessel were involved in this rescue operation.
 COSPAS-SARSAT NEWS REVIEW
January 2000 Page 2

Broke Through the Ice Pilot-Hunter

On 11 May 1999, four snow mobiles were
travelling together 42 nm East of the Barter
Islands, Alaska, when one broke through the
ice and sank. The operator was rescued from
the water by other party members and kept
warm by a camp fire.
One of the group then manually activated his
406 MHz PLB to alert rescue forces that the
individual was in danger of severe
hypothermia. The Alaska North Slope
Borough SAR Service dispatched a Bell-214
helicopter which located and rescued the
person.
The Only Means of Alerting
On 9 September 1999, a 121.5 MHz distress
signal was detected by Cospas-Sarsat near
Knik Glacier, Alaska. The Alaska RCC
launched a helicopter to the site. On arrival,
they found that the pilot of a small aircraft
had broken his leg while sheep hunting. The
passenger had activated the ELT to alert
emergency services.
Pirates
The following incident is not a typical SAR
event and Cospas-Sarsat was not the only
means of alerting. However, it shows that
Cospas-Sarsat can assist in many diverse
situations at sea.

On 7 August 1999, a 406 MHz EPIRB was
activated due to a fire onboard the motor
vessel Lady Bela which was 1,200 nm
Northwest of Oahu, Hawaii. The engine
room was flooded and the vessel had no other
means of communication. The USA Coast
Guard diverted a ship in the vicinity, the
motor vessel Alicahue, to the scene. The
Alicahue was able to rescue the crew of 31.
Crocodile Attack
On 18 August 1999, Cospas-Sarsat detected
a 121.5 MHz beacon distress signal on
MacArthur Island in the Sherburn Bay Area,
Australia. Three people were enjoying a
holiday kayaking and camping, when one was
attacked by a crocodile. The injured kayaker
was successfully airlifted from a sand cay to
hospital.
On 25 September 1999, a distress signal was
received by the Indian Mission Control
Centre from a 406 MHz EPIRB onboard the
Chinese cargo ship Yulia which was about 50
miles East of Mullaittivu port, Sri Lanka.
The Chinese ship, carrying fertiliser from
Aqaba to Chennai, was fired upon by 4 water
jet boats, resulting in some damage to the
ship which required immediate assistance.
The Cospas-Sarsat alert was sent to the Sri
Lankan RCC and an information message
was sent to China.
15 Sri Lankan Navy boats came to the rescue
of the cargo ship. During a nine-hour battle,
the pirate boats were destroyed and 3 Navy
boats sustained minor damage. A fire that
broke out aboard the Yulia was extinguished
and the vessel with 34 crew members was
escorted safely to a Sri Lankan naval base.

1999 Christmas Day Rescues

14 crew members from the Norwegian cargo vessel Bard Team were rescued in the Indian Ocean
after activation of their 406 MHz EPIRB due to the vessel sinking.

A woman was airlifted to safety from the Southwest Wilderness Area of Tassie, Australia, after
activating an emergency beacon following a snake bite.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cospas-Sarsat Secretariat
c/o Inmarsat, 99 City Road, London EC1Y 1AX, United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 20 7728 1391 Facsimile: +44 20 7728 1170
Internet e-mail: cospas_sarsat@imso.org
Web Site address: http://www.cospas-sarsat.org
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------